Isabela II
launched 1979
crew 24
tonnage 1,025
length 51 m
capacity 40
Built to travel off-the-beaten-path, Isabela II’s sleek design is perfect to navigate the coastal waterways, inland channels and narrow inlets of the South American waters, while providing a special camaraderie environment with fellow explorers on the ship’s decks.
Isabela II has three decks, Main, Cabin, and Sun. The Sun Deck features a bar with deck chairs for outdoor seating, an observation deck for watching wildlife at leisure, a Jacuzzi, and a solarium. Her well-trained 24-member team consists of Ecuadorian officers, naturalists, and crew, as well as a resident physician. Cuisine aboard the ship is a combination of Continental and Ecuadorian, with varied menus. Days are spent on natural history shore excursions on the islands, with transportation to and from the ship usually by Zodiac inflatable boats; they are available to everyone. Isabela II carries her own glass-bottom boat aboard for close-up observation of marine life. Isabela II’s staterooms (averaging 139 sq. ft.) are all outside staterooms featuring private bathrooms with showers, individual air conditioning, plenty of storage space for belongings, desk, two bedside tables and a music system; the on-board electrical current is 110 volts.
Isabela II carries her own glass-bottom boat for close-up marine life observation and is equipped for a variety of aquatic activities while on-island
Onboard crew consists of 24, well-trained team members consisting of Ecuadorian officers, naturalists and crew, as well as a resident physician
Expedition and naturalist guides provide knowledge to guests and enrich their travels with perspectives on everything from botany to geology
- accommodation
- dining
- entertainment
- health & fitness
- enrichment
- useful
- misc.
Category A (Master Suite)
1 Double Bed (head under side wall facing aft)
Stateroom Furnishings:
2 night desks, 1 corner desk, 1 sofa, 2 small armchairs, 1 center table
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Biodegradable shampoo & soap, hairdryer, mirror, facial tissue, towels. Under request at reception we have available for guests: sewing kit, shower cap and vanity kits.
Stateroom Amenities:
Ceiling light; under-the-bed closet (space for suitcases); TV with DVD for videos only; telephone; teapot; iron (upon request); pen & memo pad; expedition map; sports bottle; extra blanket, superior quality bed linen in all cabins. 2 pillows, one hypoallergenic and one with memory foam. Sheets are 60% cotton and 40% polyester of the best quality and duvet as a cover
Category B
2 Twin Beds (2 m x 1.45 m; head against side wall facing fore). [Note: 2 of 18 Category B cabins have 1 double bed (2 m x 1.45 m) plus 1 sofa bed.]
Stateroom Furnishings:
2 night desks, 1 wall desk, 1 sofa, 1 small armchair, 1 center table, 1 window (49 cm x 64 cm)
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Biodegradable shampoo & soap, hairdryer, mirror, facial tissue, towels. Under request at reception we have available for guests: sewing kit, shower cap and vanity kits.
Stateroom Amenities:
Ceiling light; under-the-bed closet (space for suitcases); telephone; teapot; iron (upon request); pen & memo pad; expedition map; sports bottle; extra blanket, superior quality bed linen in all cabins. 2 pillows, one hypoallergenic and one with memory foam. Sheets are 60% cotton and 40% polyester of the best quality and duvet as a cover.
Stats:
- 139 square feet
- Sleeps 2
Category C
1 Large Bed (2 m x 1.45 m; head against side wall facing aft).
Stateroom Furnishings:
1 night desk, 1 wall desk, 1 chair, 1 window (49 cm x 64 cm) with partially obstructed views
Private Bathroom:
Yes, with shower
Bathroom Amenities:
Biodegradable shampoo & soap, hairdryer, mirror, facial tissue, towels. Under request at reception we have available for guests: sewing kit, shower cap and vanity kits.
Stateroom Amenities:
Superior quality bed linen in all cabins. 2 pillows, one hypoallergenic and one with memory foam. Sheets are 60% cotton and 40% polyester of the best quality and duvet as a cover, ceiling light; under-the-bed closet (space for suitcases); telephone; teapot; iron (upon request); pen & memo pad; expedition map; sports bottle; extra blanket
Dining Room
Dining at its finest
The comfortable dining setting aboard Isabela II is perfect for conversation with fellow passengers. With meals designed by a Cordon Bleu-trained gastronomy director, a combination of Continental and Ecuadorian cuisine await your taste buds
Bar
Bar can be found on the Sun Deck
Library
Library can be found on the Main Deck
Saloon
Saloon can be found on the Main Deck
Jacuzzi
Jacuzzi is located on the Sun Deck
Gym
Cardio-Gym is located on the Main Deck
Stargazing
Equatorial stargazing at night, weather permitting
Glass-Bottom Boat
Isabela II carries her own glass-bottom boat for close-up marine life observation and is equipped for a variety of aquatic activities while on-island
Disabled Facilities
Wheelchair & Motorised Scooter
Wheelchairs and certain types of motorised scooters can be accommodated on some Tauck journeys. It is best that you inquire for the specific journey you are interested in. As a general rule, wheelchairs and motorized scooters are not accepted for Tauck’s international and exotic destinations. The international community does not adhere to the same accessibility standards that hotels, restaurants and public buildings do in the United States. That combined with tour itineraries that might require a considerable bit of walking in old historic city sections, in and around attractions, over cobblestone streets, up hills and climbing staircases make wheelchairs impractical to bring.
Collapsible wheelchairs are more widely accepted for Tauck journeys within the United States and Canada. But even to this, there are exceptions so it always is best to inquire to be certain. Motor coach space limitations make motorized scooters harder to accommodate on journeys, but there are certain model collapsible motorized scooters that can be accommodated on many of Tauck’s North American journeys. Again, it is best to inquire.
Tauck cannot provide wheelchairs to guests or wheelchair assistance during the journey. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion.
Dietary Requirements
Many special dietary needs can be accommodated on Tauck journeys with advance notice, but cannot be guaranteed. Different destinations make some dietary needs harder to accommodate than others. Tauck will do everything possible in communicating your requests to hotels and restaurants. Common dietary requests like ‘low sodium’ or ‘vegetarian’ are likely to be accommodated much easier than very special or unique dietary needs. Meals that are full a la carte offer more flexibility for special dietary requests as do some limited a la carte meals. For the occasional ‘set menu’ or ‘buffet meals’ on Tauck journeys, unique dietary needs may prove a bit more challenging.
Dress Code
Typical dress for any Tauck journey is casual attire. Some journeys may include a specific dinner function or an event in which gentleman may be required to have, or feel more comfortable wearing, a sport jacket. But overall the rule of thumb is casual comfortable clothing. The final tour documentation will mention occasions (if any) on a journey in which a sport jacket or dressier clothing is suggested.
Age Restrictions
Children age 3 and older at the time of travel are welcome on Tauck Bridges itineraries. Based upon our experience with family travellers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. In some cases there may be age restrictions on activities; all children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 or older to make a reservation. Note: Minimum age for our Tauck Bridges river cruises is 4 years; minimum age for our Tauck Bridges African safaris is 5 years; and minimum age for our Tauck Bridges Galápagos cruise is 6 years.
We ask that you use good judgment if considering bringing a young child or children on a Tauck journey. Many of our itineraries do not cater to young children’s interest, patience or stamina, and therefore aren’t really suited to children of too young an age. Young children’s behavior can be unpredictable, and with consideration for all fellow travellers wanting to enjoy their vacation to its fullest, it is important to know and understand that Tauck has the right to ask any tour member who is disruptive to a group to leave the tour whether they are 6 or 96 years of age.
Family travel is important to us. The bond between children and adults as they experience the world together makes for special memories that last lifetimes. It is for that reason we created ‘Tauck Bridges’ – journeys for the whole family to enjoy together. Each of these kid-friendly family oriented journeys has a minimum recommended age rating to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all our guests.
What’s Included
Just about everything! Virtually every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel and ship accommodations, entertainment, meals as specified in the itinerary, special dinner, land and cruise transportation, sightseeing, shore excursions, luggage handling, most taxes, concierge-style services Tauck Directors, services of local guides and more.
Most meals are included on Tauck journeys. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the Tauck experience – and that is why Tauck selects restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Enjoy Tauck’s “free choice” dining where you often dine when and with whom you wish; some meals are full a la carte, some may be limited a la carte, and some may be from a set menu or buffet.
All appropriate gratuities for luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, dining room servers, and ship staff are included. Tauck Tour Director and Tauck Cruise Director gratuities are included on all river cruises.
Over 100 cost components are included on every cruise – which means no hidden costs, no surcharges, no on-tour surprises
Other Details
Children: Kids allowed
Childrens Facilities: None
Nursery: None
Smoking: Some
Gratuities: All gratuities onboard are included.
